Post Office to lose monopoly above 50p
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE GOVERNMENT yesterday signalled its determination to press ahead with a halving of the Royal Mail's letter monopoly to 50p despite objections from a cross-party committee of MPs.
Alan Johnson, the former postman who is now industry minister with responsibility for the Post Office, said the reduction in the monopoly next April from its present level of pounds 1 was part of a balanced package of reforms.
Mr Johnson said 50p was not "an arbitrary figure plucked out of the air" but had been decided on after full consultation with the Post Office. It would affect only 6 per cent of the Royal Mail's business and benefit consumers by increasing competition.
The minister's remarks at the Institute of Public Policy Research follow a report from the Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee urging the Government to allow the new postal regulator to decide how far the monopoly should be reduced.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments